Rod conveyor cleats

ABSTRACT

A conveyor cleat releasably attachable to a rod conveyor has a cleat blade for retaining goods during conveyance, a cleat base attached to the cleat blade base, and a pair of flexible lips for releasably retaining adjacent conveyor rods. The lips are integral with the cleat base and define rod-receiving channels which have channel openings facing in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the conveyor cleat. The lips also provide the corresponding channels with closed channel bottoms located ahead of the corresponding conveyor rod as seen in the direction of travel of the cleat. The cleats according to the subject invention are easily and economically manufactured, preferably by extrusion, are readily attached to rod conveyors without the use of any special tools or clamping devices, securely maintain themselves in position during travel, and are nevertheless easily removed after use without disassembly or prolonged downtime of the conveyor.

United States Patent 1 Ross [ 51 May 22, 1973 [73] Assignce:Tatch-A-Cleat Products, Pasadena,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.2 235,978

Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Attorney-Luc P. Benoit [5 7ABSTRACT A conveyor cleat releasably attachable to a rod conveyor has acleat blade for retaining goods during conveyance, a cleat base attachedto the cleat blade base, and a pair of flexible lips for releasablyretaining adjacent conveyor rods. The lips are integral with the cleatbase and define rod-receiving channels which have channel openingsfacing in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of theconveyor cleat. The lips also provide the corresponding channels withclosed channel bottoms located ahead of the corresponding conveyor rodas seen in the direction of travel of the cleat.

The cleats according to the subject invention are easily andeconomically manufactured, preferably by extrusion, are readily attachedto rod conveyors without the use of any special tools or clampingdevices, securely maintain themselves in position during travel, and arenevertheless easily removed after use without disassembly or prolongeddowntime of the conveyor.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ROD CONVEYOR CLEATS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The subject invention relates toconveyors and, more particularly, to cleats or rod conveyors.

2. Description of the Prior Art Rod conveyors are well known in theconveyor field. Typically, they comprise a large number of rods whichare linked together by hooks formed at both ends of each rod.

Rod conveyors are frequently preferred over belt conveyors because oftheir rugged construction and their capability of separating dirt orother contaminants from the goods during conveyance.

As in the case of belt conveyors, it is also frequently desirable toprovide rod conveyors with cleats for retaining the goods duringconveyance. In the past, attempts have been made to satisfy this need byadapting conveyor belt cleats to rod conveyor systems. This at best hasonly been successful in connection with small or specialized rodconveyor systems.

For instance, prior-art rod conveyor cleats which used clamping deviceswere cumbersome to install and had a tendency to collapse backwards asthe conveyor moved about its endless path. Adjustable clamps which weredesigned to attach each cleat to two adjacent rods were too expensiveand complicated and would work themselves loose during operation of theconveyor.

A prior-art snap-on elastomer cleat was at best able to handle smallloads and would readily be detached by heavier loads or rugged service.In consequence, manufacturers of rod conveyors resigned themselves toeither omit all cleats or then to vulcanize each cleat directly on aconveyor rod. Omission of cleats placed design and utility restrictionson the conveyor. Cleats which have been directly vulcanized ontoconveyor rods were distorted in practice and relatively soon started totear at the edges thereby necessitating replacement.

Replacement of cleats which had been vulcanized onto conveyor rods wasparticularly cumbersome since it necessitated a disassembly of theconveyor for a replacement of the particular rod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of my invention is toprovide cleats for rod conveyors which obviate the above mentioneddisadvantages.

Another object of my invention is to provide cleats which are readilyattached to rod conveyors without special tools or extraneous fasteningdevices, and which will still securely retain themselves on the conveyorduring its operation.

It is a further object of my invention to provide cleats of the lattertype that may readily be detached from rod conveyors without disassemblyor undue downtime of the conveyor system.

A yet further object of my invention is to provide cleat stock that canreadily be cut by the user or installer to any desired length prior toattachment to rod conveyors.

My invention broadly resides in a conveyor cleat releasably attachableto a rod conveyor having a plurality of rods for conveying goods.According to the invention, this conveyor cleat comprises, incombination, a cleat blade for retaining goods during conveyance, a

cleat base attachable to the cleat blade for supporting the cleat blade,a first flexible lip integral with the cleat base for releasablyretaining a first conveyor rod, and a second lip integral with the cleatbase and defining with the cleat base a second channel for receiving asecond conveyor rod located adjacent the first con veyor rod.

Further according to my subject invention, the cleat blade has a frontsurface facing in a direction of travel of the conveyor when the cleatis attached to the conveyor. The above mentioned first lip and the cleatbase define a first channel for receiving the first conveyor rod. Thisfirst channel is located below the cleat blade and behind the abovementioned front surface as seen in the direction of travel. The firstlip and the cleat base further define for the first channel a channelopening facing in a direction opposite to the direction of travel.Moreover, the first lip provides the mentioned first channel with aclosed channel bottom located ahead of the first conveyor rod as seen inthe direction of travel when the cleat is attached to the conveyor.

Still according to my subject invention, the above mentioned secondchannel is located behind the first channel as seen in the direction oftravel, and the second lip and the cleat base define for the secondchannel a channel opening facing in a direction opposite to thedirection of travel of the cleat.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my subject invention, thesecond lip provides the above mentioned second channel with a closedchannel bottom located ahead of the second conveyor rod as seen in thedirection of travel when the cleat is attached to the conveyor. Inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cleatcomprises a one-piece profiled extrudate providing the cleat blade,cleat base and first and second lips. An extrudate is an article ofmanufacture produced by extrusion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS My subject invention and its objectswill become readily apparent from the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a rod conveyor havingattached thereto a cleat in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a cleat in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the subject invention, and a section through two adjacentrods of a rod conveyor; and

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in section, of a cleat of the typeshown in FIG. 2 and of part of the equipment for curing the cleat.

Like reference numerals in the drawings designate like or functionallyequivalent parts.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The rod conveyor of which a portionis shown in FIG. 1 may be of a conventional design. Rod conveyors arefrequently used in agriculture for conveying produce. During suchconveyance, pieces of soil adhering to the produce are shaken loose andcan fall through the spaces between the rods. If desired, rod conveyorsmay also be used in mining or in various manufacturing processes.

In accordance with customary practice, the rod conveyor comprises aplurality of spaced parallel rods 12. The 'rods are linked together byhooks 13 which are provided by appropriate bends at both ends of therods 12. Two adjacent rods 12 are shown in cross section and on asomewhat enlarged scale in FIG. 2.

In practice, a conveyor drive (not shown) advances the conveyor in thedirection of travel indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by an arrow 14.

A cleat 16 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention is shown attached to two adjacent rods 12. The cleat 16 has acleat blade 17 for retaining goods 18 during conveyance. The cleat blade17 has a front surface 19 facing in the direction of travel 14 of theconveyor when the cleat is attached to the conveyor. In practice, thefront surface 19 is engaged by goods 18 abutting against the cleat blade17.

The cleat 16 has a base 21 attached to the cleat blade 17 for supportingthe cleat blade. The cleat base 21 extends substantially parallel to aplane through adjacent rods 12. The cleat base 21 is integral with thecleat blade 17.

A first flexible lip 22 is integral with the cleat base and releasablyretains a first one of the two conveyor rods shown in FIG. 2. The oneconveyor rod which in FIG. 2 is shown to the right of the other conveyorrod will for reference purposes be designated as the first conveyor rod,while the other conveyor rod will be designated as second conveyor rod.

The first lip 22 and the cleat base 21 define a first channel 23 forreceiving the first conveyor rod. The first channel 23 is located belowthe cleat blade 17 and behind the front surface 19 as seen in thedirection of travel 14.

The lip 22 and the cleat base 21 further define for the first channel 23a channel Opening 24 facing substantially in a direction opposite to thedirection of travel 14. According to the subject invention, the firstlip 22 provides the first channel 23 with a closed channel bottom 25located ahead of the first conveyor rod as seen in the direction oftravel 14.

A second lip 26 is integral with the cleat base 21 and defines with thecleat base a second channel 27 for receiving the second conveyor rodlocated adjacent the first conveyor rod and behind such first conveyorrod.

The second channel 27 is accordingly located behind the first channel asseen or considered in the direction of travel. The second lip 26 and thecleat base 21 define for the second channel 27 a channel opening 28facing in a direction opposite to the direction of travel 14. Inaccordance with the illustrated preferred embodiment, the second lip 26provides the second channel 27 with a closed channel bottom 29 locatedahead of the second conveyor rod as seen in the direction of travel 14.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, thecleat blade 17 and the cleat base 21 subtend an obtuse angle 31 as shownin FIG. 2. Tests have shown that this will maximize the retention ofgoods as well as the retention of the cleat on the conveyor.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, thecleat 16 comprises a one-piece profiled extrudate which provides thecleat blade, cleat base and first and second lips. The cleat 16 may beexavailable for the manufacture of cleats which will give extendedoutdoor service.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention, the cleat base 21 has a sloped edge 32. As can be seen inFIG. 3, the sloped edge 32 extends substantially in a plane 33 whichtouches a top portion 34 of the cleat blade 17. In FIG. 3, the plane 33is the top surface of a table 36 on which the extruded cleat 16 isplaced with the aid of a support 37 during curing of the extruded cleat.In accordance with conventional practice, the cleat may be cured orvulcanized with suitable equipment (not shown) while in the positionshown in FIG. 3.

Due to the presence of the sloped edge 32, the weight of the cleat isadequately supported and a distortion of the cleat is successfullyavoided during a curing thereof. In practice, it may be found that thesloping angle of the edge 32 may change itself somewhat from theillustrated position as the cleat hardens.

The cleat 16 is attached to the conveyor by inserting the channel 27with channel opening 28 over the second conveyor rod. This insertion iseasily effected because of the generally U-shaped cross section of thechannel 27. The channel 23 is then opened up by bending the flexible lipdownwardly (or, in other words, by stretching the flexible lip). Thisoperation may be performed directly by hand or with the aid of asuitable tool, such as a large screwdriver (not shown). The cleat isthen swung downwardly and the stretched lip 22 is released so that itmoves in position about the conveyor rod as shown in FIG. 2.

In practice, several cleats according to the subject invention areattached to the rod conveyor. By way of example, the spacing betweenadjacent cleats may be of the order of 1 foot. In practical operation,the interesting fact has been noted that forces occurring on the cleatduring operation of the rod conveyor tend to move the flexible lip 22upwardly in intimate contact with the rod 12 located in the channel 23.At the same time, the generally U-shaped channel 27 permits tolerancesin the pitch between the two adjacent rods to which the cleat isattached.

After use, the cleat is easily detached by stretching the flexible lip22 and removing the cleat from the conveyor rods. No disassembly of theconveyor rods and no prolonged work stoppage is necessary for a removalor replacement of cleats.

It will now be recognized that the subject invention meets the abovementioned objects and provides superior cleats for use with rodconveyors. While specific embodiments have been disclosed herein,various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of thesubject invention will become apparent or suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A conveyor cleat releasably attachable to a rod conveyor having aplurality of rods for conveying goods, comprising in combination:

a cleat blade for retaining goods during conveyance,

the cleat blade having a front surface facing in a direction of travelof the conveyor when the cleat is attached to the conveyor;

a cleat base attached to the cleat blade for supporting the cleat blade;

a first flexible lip integral with the cleat base for releasablyretaining a first conveyor rod, the first lip and the cleat basedefining a first channel for receiving the first conveyor rod, the firstchannel being located below the cleat blade and behind said frontsurface as seen in said direction of travel, the first lip and the cleatbase further defining for the first channel a channel opening facingsubstantially in a direction opposite to said direction of travel, andthe first lip providing the first channel with a closed channel bottomlocated ahead of said first conveyor or rod as seen in said direction oftravel when the cleat is attached to the conveyor; and

a second lip integral with the cleat base and defining with the cleatbase a second channel for receiving a second conveyor rod locatedadjacent the first conveyor rod, the second channel being located behindthe first channel as seen in said direction of travel, and the secondlip and the cleat base defining for the second channel a channel openingfacing in a direction opposite to said direction of travel.

2. A conveyor cleat as claimed in claim 1, comprisa one-piece profiledextrudate providing the cleat blade, cleat base and first and secondlips.

3. A conveyor cleat as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the cleat base has a sloped edge extending substantially in a planetouching a top portion of the cleat blade.

4. A conveyor cleat as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the cleat blade and the cleat base subtend an obtuse angle.

5. A conveyor cleat as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the second lip and the cleat base provide the second channel with aU-shaped cross-section.

6. A conveyor cleat as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the second lip provides the second channel with a closed channel bottomlocated ahead of the second conveyor rod as seen in said direction oftravel when the cleat is attached to said conveyor.

7. A conveyor cleat as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

the cleat blade and the cleat base subtend an obtuse angle.

1. A conveyor cleat releasably attachable to a rod conveyor having aplurality of rods for conveying goods, comprising in combination: acleat blade for retaining goods during conveyance, the cleat bladehaving a front surface facing in a direction of travel of the conveyorwhen the cleat is attached to the conveyor; a cleat base attached to thecleat blade for supporting the cleat blade; a first flexible lipintegral with the cleat base for releasably retaining a first conveyorrod, the first lip and the cleat base defining a first channel forreceiving the first conveyor rod, the first channel being located belowthe cleat blade and behind said front surface as seen in said directionof travel, the first lip and the cleat base further defining for thefirst channel a channel opening facing substantially in a directionopposite to said direction of travel, and the first lip providing thefirst channel with a closed channel bottom located ahead of said firstconveyor or rod as seen in said direction of travel when the cleat isattached to the conveyor; and a second lip integral with the cleat baseand defining with the cleat base a second channel for receiving a secondconveyor rod located adjacent the first conveyor rod, the second channelbeing located behind the first channel as seen in said direction oftravel, and the second lip and the cleat base defining for the secondchannel a channel opening facing in a direction opposite to saiddirection of travel.
 2. A conveyor cleat as claimed in claim 1,comprising: a one-piece profiled extrudate providing the cleat blade,cleat base and first and second lips.
 3. A conveyor cleat as claimed inclaim 2, wherein: the cleat base has a sloped edge extendingsubstantially in a plane touching a top portion of the cleat blade.
 4. Aconveyor cleat as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the cleat bLade and thecleat base subtend an obtuse angle.
 5. A conveyor cleat as claimed inclaim 1, wherein: the second lip and the cleat base provide the secondchannel with a U-shaped cross-section.
 6. A conveyor cleat as claimed inclaim 1, wherein: the second lip provides the second channel with aclosed channel bottom located ahead of the second conveyor rod as seenin said direction of travel when the cleat is attached to said conveyor.7. A conveyor cleat as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the cleat blade andthe cleat base subtend an obtuse angle.